Informant: Pipe bomber targeted Mexican Mafia

By Alia Malik, San Antonio Express-News

Updated 6:44 pm, Monday, May 5, 2014

SAN ANTONIO — A Hondo man has been arrested on federal weapons and explosives charges following allegations from an informant that he was building pipe bombs as part of a revenge scheme against the Texas Mexican Mafia.

Jacob Michael Winkler, 29, was charged with receiving or possessing a firearm not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record and manufacture of an explosive without a license.

Authorities apprehended him Friday at his home in Hondo.

Several informants told the FBI about pipe bombs, according to a criminal complaint affidavit filed Monday. One said that Winkler wanted to get back at the Mexican Mafia for reportedly placing a “green light” — authorizing a hit — on him for his involvement in briefly kidnapping a person who sold drugs for the gang,

Winkler admitted to possessing three suspected destructive devices, court documents state. During a hearing Monday, he was ordered held without bail until the next detention hearing.